Kenneth Branagh's 1994 gothic horror film, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, is now streaming on Netflix. The 123-minute film stars Branagh as Victor Frankenstein and Robert De Niro as the creature.
The movie, which also features Helena Bonham Carter and Kenneth Branagh, opens with Captain Robert Walton and his crew on a North Pole expedition in 1794. Stranded and trapped in ice, they encounter Victor Frankenstein, who begins to recount his life story. Victor details his studies in medicine and his forbidden research into creating new life. Horrified by his creation's appearance, Victor abandons the creature, setting in motion a chain of tragic events.
A Heartbreaking Performance from De Niro
Branagh's direction imbues the film with a theatrical intensity, a style he has employed in other adaptations like Hamlet and his Agatha Christie mysteries. While this heightened approach may not appeal to all, it emphasizes the passionate and dramatic elements within Shelley's novel. Branagh's Victor is driven by passion, leading to his volatile decisions and tendency to evade responsibility.
Robert De Niro delivers a performance of profound pathos as the creature, a being abandoned by its creator. The creature exhibits a deep curiosity about the world and a desire to understand its origins, questioning its own soul and existence. De Niro's portrayal imbues the creature with a necessary vulnerability, making its plight more understandable as it grapples with being labeled an "abomination."
Scenes featuring the creature are particularly moving, though the film's consistent melodrama sometimes overshadows its potential for genuine scares. The story includes tragic turns for Victor's adoptive sister and wife, Elizabeth (Helena Bonham Carter). Despite its deviations from the source material, the film remains a visually striking and memorable experience. The North Pole sequences, in particular, effectively capture a sense of isolation shared by both Victor and the creature.
While Mary Shelley's Frankenstein does not offer a radical reimagining of the classic narrative, it stands as a visually rich and emotionally charged adaptation. Its compelling performances and indulgence in dark romance and melancholy make it a notable entry for those seeking a period drama with a gothic flair.